Cloverdale Library Awarded FamilySearch Affiliate Status

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Cloverdale Library is part of the Surrey Library system and is located in Surrey’s historic town center. They have one of the largest Canadian family history collections. Cloverdale Library recently received Affiliate Library status from FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have privileges to limited-access FamilySearch databases. Public or university libraries, archives, museums, or genealogical societies can become affiliate public libraries.

Affiliate libraries have some limitations and many not have all the services of a family history center. There may be some FamilySearch Historical Records that may not be available.

North Delta Reporter reported that the Cloverdale Library has been home to western Canada’s largest collection of Canadian family history archives since the branch opened in 1987. Being awarded Affiliate Library status by FamilySearch means Cloverdale Library will have more online records accessible through the library than ever before.

Information Services Librarian Carmen Merrells said in a press release: “Digital images of original documents are usually available online, but many of these are locked to the public due to copyright restrictions. Now we can provide our library patrons with access to records that are usually restricted to researchers.”

The Cloverdale Library holds the Surrey Libraries family history collection. The collection has over 5,000 microfilms and over 3,000 books. It also has specialized equipment including: microfilm/microfiche reader/printer; ViewScan reader with USB capability; and a photocopier.

Other genealogy resources include:

* British Columbia vital event records: These are accessible online and include British Columbia birth, marriage, and death records. It contains births to 1903, marriages to 1941, and deaths to 1996.

* The Family History microfilm collection at Cloverdale Library includes births to 1903, marriages to 1933, and deaths to 1988.

In addition, the Cloverdale Library offers patrons access to useful online genealogy resources. You must be at the library in order to use them:

* Ancestry Library: Go farther in your family history research using an international tool with the largest Canadian collection.

* Find My Past: Includes UK, US, Irish, Australia, New Zealand, and many smaller record sets from all around the world.